Control method and device for radio sets and the like



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Dec. 17, 1940- E. A. FrrzGERALD CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RADIO SETS AND THE LIKE l Filed June 22, 1936 EbwAQD/i.

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Dec 17, 1940- E. A. FITZGERALD 2.225,043

CONTROL MTHOD AND DEVICE FOR RADIO SETS AND THE LIKE Filed June 22. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIII IIIIII a ,nl umm INVENTOR ATTORNEY,

Dec. 17, 1940. E. A. FITZGERALD CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RADIO SETS AND THE LIKE Filed June 22, 1936 S'Sheets-Sheet 5 R n 3 n wm, .Y l, IT O W- w @mf \mm, bm. y Fl: um )am LM mv. M.) mh A) ww E AN @Y AMK Mm, wh .o AH. C, A( wh.

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Patente-d Dec. 17, 1940 yUNITED STATES CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RADIO SETS AND THE LIKE Edward A. Fitzgerald, San Francisco, Calif.

Application June 22, 1936, Serial No. 86,492

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and device for controlling and recording the use of radio receiving sets. v

An object of the invention is to provide a method whereby the electric circuit of an electrically operated apparatus such as a radio receiving set automatically produces a visible record of the elapsed time of actual use of the apparatus; and wherein the means whereby the record is made is utilized to render the radio receiving circuit operative and inoperative at will.

Another'object of the invention is to provide a measuring and recording device for an electrically actuated apparatus wherein the operation of the measuring device and of the apparatus are inter-dependent and `can be rendered operativel or inoperative by an element whereby the time of actual operation of the apparatus is recorded. i

Another object of the invention is to provide a measuring device for radio receiving -sets so related to the radio circuit that the radio circuit cannot be used without the simultaneous OD- eration of a time measuring device, means being provided for taking readingsk from said measur- 1' ing device and to make or break the respective circuits respectively Yevery time a reading is taken.

Another object of the invention is to provide a time measuring device for a radio receiving apparatus and a card control for the measuring deviceY adapted to render said measuring device and radio circuit operative and inoperative by alternate insertion of the card into the measuring device. means being provided to make a printed or punched recordof the readings ofthe measuring device on predetermined places on the cardvboth at the starting and stopping of the measuring device. l

`Another object of this invention is to provide a method and device for controlling and recording' the use of electric apparatusy and particularly radio receiving sets which is highly useful and simple in construction." Convenience of arrangement, lightness andcomparative inexpense vof manufacture are further objects 'whichfhave been borne in mind inthe production and development of the invention.v I'

I am aware that some changes maybe made in the general arrangements and combinations of the several devices and parts,` as wellas' in the details of the construction thereofv without departingl from the scope of the present .invention as set forth in the following specification, and

as defined inthe following claims; hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the said device and construction of the said parts as illustrated in the 5 accompanying drawings.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out y in .the appended claims, reference is had to the l0 accompanying drawings for the illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side View; partly in section, of a radio receiving apparatus indicating the ar- Il, rangement of the measuring and reportingv de- 15 vicetherein.

Figure 2 is a fragmental View of a panel Yof a radio receiving apparatus adjacent the measuring and recording device showing the slot for the f A insertion of the actuating-card.` 20

Figure 3 is a plan view of the actuating record card.

yFigure 4 is a side view of my measuring device the ink ribbon being partly broken away.A Y

Figure 5 is a fragmental side View of the rneas'- 25 uring device viewed from the side opposite to that ci Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional View of my recording and printing device 4in relation to the measuring mechanism. 30

Figure 7 is a fragmental cross sectional 'View of the measuring and printing device inithe printing position;` and Figure 8 is a 4wiring diagram 'of the electric circuit of my device. 35

My method of measuring and indicating the actual elapsed time throughout which an electrically operated apparatus vsuch as a radio receiving set, or a washing machine, cr the like, is used consists in the measuring of the elapsed 40 time interdependently with the operation of the apparatus. For instance in the case of a radio receiving set the measuring is at all times interdependent with thenelectric supply lines lof the radio set so that no electric current can flow for 45 the operation of the radio set except during the time measured. When the measuring stops for any reason the supply of electric current to the radio apparatus is also shut off, and vice versa. Then readings of said measurements of time are 50 taken, and the entire interdependent electric circuit is closedor opened respectively at alternate readings. For instance by the first taking of a reading both the measuring and the operation of the apparatus are automatically started, but 5 by the next reading the entire interdependent electric circuit is opened and rendered inoperative. The starting and stopping of the entire electric circuit may be accomplished by the taking of said readings by way of a printed or punched record on a suitable card, so that the entire operation starts and stops at the respective alternate markings of the card.

The method and device herein described has particular practical utility in connection with the renting of electrically operated apparatus especially where the rent is determined by the elapsed time of actual use. While the embodiment herein illustrates the use of this device in connection with radio receiving sets, it is to be understood that the same principle of operation may be applied to the use of other apparatus, such as washing machines and the like.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a radio receiving set I I, of the usual type. In the radio cabinet or casing is an electrical time measuring or timing device I2 mounted on one of the panels or walls, such as the rear panel I3. An electrically actuated stamping device I4 cooperates with the timing device I2 for taking readings off the latter. The stamping device I4 is operable by an object to be stamped or punched or otherwise suitably marked for `making a record of the elapsed time during which the radio set II is in actual operation. In the herein illustration the stamping device I4 is actuated by and produces a printed record on a card I6. The operation of the radio set I I and of the measuring or timing device I2 are vrendered interdependent by a circuit-breaker l1 which automatically shuts 01T the supply current of the radio set II whenever the timing device I2 is inoperative. A usual button or knob switch I8 is adapted to simultaneously connect or disconnect the supply current to the combined supply circuit of said radio set II and said timing device I2.

'I'he aforedescribed entire inter-dependent electric circuit may be controlled by a master switch I9, which latter is opened and closed at respective alternate operations of the stamping device I4. As heretofore stated the stamping device I4 is actuated by the card I6, and the master switch I9 is actuated by the stamping device I4. Therefore the entire operative electric circuit is primarily controlled by the card I6 and particularly by the act of taking a reading on the card I 5. At one insertion of the card I6 both the timing device I2 and the radio set II are rendered oper ative, and by the next insertion of the card I6 they are rendered inoperative.

The radio receiving set II is of the usual type, although the casing or cabinet of the set may be built to conform to the nature of the installation. The timing device I2 may be mounted in any suitable and accessible position. It is preferable in some instances that in installations in hotel rooms the device be not easily accessible to a guest, yet be readily handled by the employees of the hotel for taking the required readings on the cards I6. 'I'he supply lines 2| and 22 of the radio set II are connected into the said interdependent circuit.

The timing device I2 includes a synchronous motor 23, which is connected by suitable gearing 24 to suitable rotary counting discs `26 preferably of the printing type so as to count and indicate the time elapsed during which the motor 23 is in operation. The exposed lowermost points of the discs 26 form a printing surface for marking the card I6 when the latter is pressed against it.

Adjacent to an electro-magnetic part 21 of the motor 23, is fulcrumed the circuit-breaker I1, which is of a gravity rockable mercury switch of a usual type. A metal lug 28 of the circuitbreaker I1 is drawn into vertical position by the electro-magnetic part 21 whenever the latter is energized by reason of the operation of the timing device I2. Thus the mercury-container part of the circuit-breaker I1 is brought into horizontal position so as to cause the mercury switch therein to bridge the usual gap between the terminal contacts of the circuit-breaker |1. The radio power supply line 2| is connected to one of the terminals of the circuit-breaker I1, and from the other terminal thereof extends a continuation line or wire 29 to ay terminal of the button switch Ifi. Consequently no power can be conducted to the radio set II through wire 2| unless the timing device I2 is operating, nor can the latter be operated without closing the circuit between the lines 2| and 29, thereby the operation of the timing device I2 and of the radio set I I are rendered fully dependent on each other.

However the closing of the button switch I 8 in itself does not always render the timing device I2 and radio set II operative, because the other terminal of the button switch I8 is connected by a line 3| to a stationary contact 32 of the master switch I9. A spring Contact 33 is normally spaced from the contact 32. A rotary cam or star wheel Y34 is mounted on a bracket 35 below the stamping device I4 and opposite the spring contact 33. Whenever the star wheel 34 is turned so that one of its protruding arms engages the contact 33 then the latter is contacted with the contact 32 and the entire circuit is closed. In this position the radio set may be turned on or shut off by the button switch I8, provided the timing device I2 is in operative order. The star wheel 34 has four arms thereon at right angles to each other, so that a one-eighth turn of the star wheel 34 brings an arm out of engagement with the spring contact 33 and allows the latter to spring into circuit breaking position. The next one-eighth turn of the star wheel 34 brings another arm against the contact 33 again closing the circuit.

It is to be noted that a line 31 connects the spring contact 33 to one terminal of a source of electricity, and the line 22 of the radio set II completes the circuit through a line 38 to the other terminal of a source of electricity not shown. Aline 4I connects the motor 23 to the main supply line 38 in parallel with the line 22, and another line 42 is connected to the line 29 between the circuit breaker I1 and the switch IB to complete the circuit of the timing device I2.

The printing device I4 includes a solenoid or electro-magnet 43 in which is a guide cylinder 44 preferably of insulating material. In this guide cylinder 44 is reciprocated a core of plunger 45, which falls down by its own weight but is raised by magnetic action whenever the electro-magnet 43 is energized. A shaft 41 extends upwardly from the plunger 46 and on its top is formed a printing platform or platen 48 opposite the printing surface formed by the discs 26 of the timing device I2. A usual ink ribbon 49 extends across between the platen 48 and the discs 25 but closer to the latter. One terminal of the electro-magnet 43 is connected by a line 5| and through the line 4| to the main supply line 38. The other terminal of the electro-magnet 43 is connected to a spring contact 52 of a card actuated circuit-breaker. An

opposed stationary vcontact 53 of said last circuitbreaker is connected by a. line 54 to the main supply line 31. Thus when the spring contact 52 is urged into engagement with the other. contact 5 53 then the electro-magnet 43 becomes energized and draws the plunger 44 upwardly. Any object on the plunger 44 `is thus pressed against the ink ribbon 49 and against the printing surface of the discs 25 and is marked thereby. A y This closing of the stamping circuit is accomplished by the object to be stamped, in the present instance by the card I6. .An arm` 56 freely depends from a fulcrum 51 along the timing device I2 so as to be swingable toward the spring contact 52. A head 58 of the arm 56 is inthe path of movement of the card I6 as the latter is inserted over the platen 48 so that thek card I6. when so inserted, pushes the head 58 toward the spring contact 52.` A brace link59`is pivoted on said head 58 and its free end normally engages the spring contact 52. The link 59 urges and holds the spring contact 52 in circuit closing position while the head 58 is pressed away from the platen 48. 'I'he head 58 has a cut away recess 6I at its lower corner which ts over the adjacent edge of the platen 48 so as to be normally supported thereon. As the card I6 pushes the head 58 the recess 6I clears the platen 48 so that the lhead 58 is held in circuit closing position by the side of the platen 48 throughout the upward stroke of the platen 48, as shown in Figure 7. On the platen 48 is a tripping finger 63 aligned with the link 59 and normally spaced from the same to a distance equal to the desired upward power stroke of the'platen 48. When the platen 48 is near the end of its upper stroke, and before it reaches the ultimate printing position, the tripping nger 63 trips the link 59 so that the link 59 folds or collapses upwardly around its pivot and relatively to the arm 56. When the link 59 is moved upwardly it clears the spring contact 52 and allows the latter to spring into circuit opening position, as shown in Fig. '1. While the electro-magnet 43 is thus de-energized the platen 45 48 and the plunger 44 continue upwardly, by their momentum so as to momentarily press the card I6 against the ink ribbon 49 and against the printing surface of the discs 25, and thereby make a marking or imprint on said card I6. Then the platen 48 and plunger 44 drop down into the original position and allow the recess 6I of the head 58 to engage and rest upon the edge of the platen 48. The tripping iinger 63 is also disengaged from the link 59 which latter drops down into its initial spacing position, shown in Fig. 4. The card I6 drops on the top of the head 58 and is easily removable.

At every stamping operation of the stamping device I4, as heretofore described, the star wheel 60 |34 vof the master circuit-breaker I9 is turned one-eighth of a turn. This is accomplished by means of a ratchet wheel 64 connected to the star wheel 34, and by a spring pawl 66 on the lower end of the plunger 46. On the upward 65 stroke of the plunger 46 the pawl 66 is inoperative, but on its return stroke the pawl 66 engages and turns the ratchet wheel 64 and the star wheel 34 therewith so as to close and open the master circuit-breaker I9 on respective alternate operations of the stamping device I4.

In the Wall I3 of the radio 'set II is formed a guide 'slot 61 which is aligned with the space between the platen 48 and the discs 25 and is opposite the swinging head 58. The card I6 5 can be easily inserted through the slot 61 and automatically actuate the stamping device I4 and also stop or start the loperativeness of the interdependent radio receiving Aset I'I and timingdevice I2. The printing discs 25 are at right angles to the slot so as to print on the card parallel 5 with the direction in which the card I6 is moved when inserted.

The card I6, as shownk in Fig. 3, for purposes of illustration, is a so-called master card. Namely it is used by a hotel or hospital, for instance, 10 to check the elapsed time of actual operation of a radio set in a room, during the period that the room was occupied by a guest, or during any stated period. On one half of the face of .this card I6 is printed .the name of the hotel, 15 the room number, the name of the occupant, and the dates of the rst and last reading. On the other half 68 o-f the same face of the card I6 are spaced marked lines Stop on the top, Start below it, and Total hours of use below 20 the latter. The lines are preferably so arranged that .the respective markings are to be stamped on the card on lines parallel with the direction of the insertion of the card into the stamping device. The slot 61 is marked at its opposite 25 edges or ends, respectively Start and Stop The slot 61 is so relate-d to the printing disc 25 and to the markings on the card I6, that when an edge of the card I6 is at the corner or end of the slot 61 marked Start then the 30 second line on the card I6, valso marked Start is aligned with the discs 25 and when the other edge of .the card I6 is `at the other corner or end of the slot 61 marked Stop, then the top line on the card I6, also marked Stop yaligned 35 with the discs 25. The first reading should be on the Start line, because o-n the first stamping the radio `set II becomes operative. The next reading is on .the Stop line, because the second stamping renders the radio set II inopera- 40 tive. The difference between the numbers indicated by the timing device at such subsequent readings shows the hour-s and minutes of actual use of the radio set II between .the two readings, so that the rent or the like `data may be readily 45 calculated.

Referring to the wiring diagram shown in Fig.

8 the various elec-tric circuits are described in the following tracing of the circuits. The circuit of .the stamping device includes the main line 50 38 connected .through lines 4I and 5I to the electromagnet 43 and to'the contact 52. When a card is pushed against .the lever 56 then the circuit is continued from the contact 52 to the stationary contact 53 and through line 54 to 55 the other main `supply line 31. When the circuit vis so closed the electromagnet 43 actuates the plunger of the stamping device as heretofore described so as to turn the master switch I9.

The timing mechanism circuit flows from the 60 main supply line 38 to line 4I and Athen through the motor 23 to line 42, and then `through line 29 and switch I8, when closed, to line 3|, and then through contacts 32 and 33, when the master circuit-breaker I9 is closed, to the other 65 main supply line 31.

The circuit of .the radio apparatus II flows from the main supply line 38 through line 22 to `one terminal of 'the radio apparatus II, and then through the radio in the usual manner and 70 out through line 2l and mercury switch I1, when closed, to line 29, and then through switch I8, when closed, line 3|, contacts 32 and 33, when the circuit breaker I9 is closed to the other main supply line 31.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the character described, in combination, an apparatus operated by electricity, an electrically operated time measuring mechanism, an impression mechanism whereby readings can be taken from said `time measuring mechanism, and means actuated by said impression mechanism to simultaneously render said apparatus and sa-id time measuring mechanism operative and inoperative at alternate readings.

2. The combination Wirth an electrically operated apparatus, an electrically actuated time measuring mechanism therefor, and a stamping device for taking readings from said time measuring mechanism, of a circuit-breaker for controlling the electric current both to said apparatus and to said measuring mechanism, and means responsive .to successive operations of said stamping device for alternately opening and closing said circuit-breaker.

3. The combination With an electrically actuated apparatus; of an electrically operated time stamp, a .timing mechanism for said .time stamp, means actuated by the time stamp v,to control the electric circuit of said apparatus and of said timing mechanism, and means of connection between the `timing mechanism and ,the apparatus to prevent operation of said apparatus when the timing mechanism is not energized.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, an apparatus operated by electricity, an electrically operated time measuring mechanism, an impression mechanism whereby readings oan be taken from said time measuring mechanism, means actuated by said impression mechanism to simultaneously render said apparatus and said time measuring mechanism operative and inoperative at alternate readings, and means of connection between said apparatus and Isaid time measuring mechanism to prevent the operation of said apparatus when the measuring mechanism is not energized.

EDWARD A. FITZGERALD. 

